We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julie Kessler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julie below.
Julie , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Oakley’s Oath was established in 2021 after Julie Kessler tragically lost her 15-year-old shih tzu, Oakley. Oakley drowned in a backyard pool during a roof construction project due to a breakdown in communication between the contractor and the homeowners; this was a preventable loss.
This tragedy inspired Julie Kessler to create Oakley’s Oath, a nonprofit organization that sets new standards for in-home service providers. Before the establishment of Oakley’s Oath, no entity tracked the frequency of these accidents, supported, advocated for, and educated the community on ways to prevent them.
Our mission is to prevent avoidable accidents and fatalities to pets and young children during residential construction by collaborating with service providers and educating families to increase community awareness and safety.
We aim to achieve this mission by:
– Creating community polls to gain a better understanding of the frequency of these accidents
– Partnering with contractors dedicated to promoting safety during residential projects,
– Hosting community events connecting homeowners with certified contractors
– Presenting at construction expos and safety conferences across the country
– Developing educational materials for homeowners; and
– Certifying contractors who participate in the Oakley’s Oath Certification Program, which aims to create a new safety standard for residential construction to help keep families safe.
Through these efforts, we aim to reduce the frequency of these accidents and advocate for safer conditions during residential construction to protect families from avoidable accidents. Join us in creating safer communities—partner with us, share our mission, and support Oakley’s Oath to make a tangible difference today.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Oakley’s Oath is my passion project. Prompted by losing my dog, I am dedicated to helping keep families safer whenever home becomes a work zone. As both a girl mom and dog mom, I am determined to use my experience to benefit the community.
Recently, my team and I have been attending several networking events, where we discovered that our mission is creating buzz throughout the community and home service industry. Hearing that Oakley’s story has helped prevent similar accidents for other families is especially uplifting.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that have been most critical to my journey are resilience, effective communication, and a deep commitment to public service.
Launching a nonprofit without prior experience in either the nonprofit sector or the home service industry has brought its share of challenges. However, staying grounded in my motivation and purpose has helped me push through obstacles and keep Oakley’s Oath moving forward. Developing a clear business plan has also been instrumental—not only in guiding our strategy but in helping us communicate our mission effectively, build strong networks, and raise brand awareness.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Oakley’s Oath is seeking partnerships with contractors and professionals in the home service industry who are committed to protecting families when the home becomes a work zone.
Becoming an Oakley’s Oath Approved Partner is a straightforward process: simply complete a brief agreement, email it to [email protected], and demonstrate your commitment by distributing Oakley’s Oath materials to your clients.
In return, we promote our partners on our website, at community events, and from our Scottsdale office located within Purifi.
Partnering with Oakley’s Oath not only supports family safety—it also gives your business a competitive edge by showing your clients that you care. We can’t wait to connect!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oakleysoath.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakleysoath/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakleysOath/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliehkessler/
Image Credits
Jay Smiley Films
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
